[thenightsky]

I'm really super sensitive and emotional. Things affect me harder than they affect others. I get upset very easily. Especially sad and angry. I don't know how to cope with all the emotions! When all the anger and sadness and anxiety build up, the only way I can get it out is by taking it out on myself. I punch myself and scratch myself. I have already recognized that this is not healthy behavior. I've tried punching pillows and screaming into pillows but its not the same. I become depressed very easily and have panic attacks frequently. I still don't know how to cope with them does anyone have any advice?

[Jan1212]

Educate yourself, people get angry, frustrated, scared, defensive, anxious, when they have such a rigid way of understanding. and nobody teaches you this stuff. It takes a lot of time, it will be tough, experiences will help. I can tell you are smart by recognizing how these behavior effect you and seeking help, a lot of people don't get past this step. Face your fears, get to know them, how old are you? I don't want you to get specific if you don't' want, but what kind of incident happened?

[sssjensss]

Originally Posted by thenightsky

I'm really super sensitive and emotional. Things affect me harder than they affect others. I get upset very easily. Especially sad and angry. I don't know how to cope with all the emotions! When all the anger and sadness and anxiety build up, the only way I can get it out is by taking it out on myself. I punch myself and scratch myself. I have already recognized that this is not healthy behavior. I've tried punching pillows and screaming into pillows but its not the same. I become depressed very easily and have panic attacks frequently. I still don't know how to cope with them does anyone have any advice?

I am also a very emotional person and I have an extremely hard time sorting and controlling my emotions as well. It is awesome that you realize this isn't healthy behavior. Everyone is different and as difficult as it is you need to find what works best for you. It has taken me almost 30 years to figure out what helps me little by. little. Sometimes insane exercise helps me if I am angry because it helps get the anger out and it wears meout to the point that I 'm too tired to be angry anymore. I also have severe anxiety and panic attacks.I'm still working on those! Just research different ways to deal with these feelings until you find what works.

[sssjensss]

Originally Posted by thenightsky

I'm really super sensitive and emotional. Things affect me harder than they affect others. I get upset very easily. Especially sad and angry. I don't know how to cope with all the emotions! When all the anger and sadness and anxiety build up, the only way I can get it out is by taking it out on myself. I punch myself and scratch myself. I have already recognized that this is not healthy behavior. I've tried punching pillows and screaming into pillows but its not the same. I become depressed very easily and have panic attacks frequently. I still don't know how to cope with them does anyone have any advice?

Also just taking a moment to scream at the top your lungs can brig g much releif! I will chat anytime you like if you care to. I have been through a lot this past year and have also learner a lot!

[Leed]

I don't know how old you are, but I would suggest therapy in order to deal with these issues. Trying to deal with these on your own isn't going to work, I'm afraid. I believe it's going to take a trained professional to help you take care of the panic attacks and depression. If you're a minor, talk with your parents about gettiing you professional help.

If you can't talk with your parents easily, talk with your school counselor. Let hiim/her know what's going on, and perhaps he/she can discuss it with your parents. It might make it easier for you. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

I hope you will be able to speak about these specific coping skills with your T. Perhaps your T can help you replace these with more productive skills that do not involve hurting yourself.

I echo Lee's sentiments. Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing

You can look in to meditation and DBT techniques. There are a lot of free sites out there and Yahoo offers a free DBT class. They both attempt to teach you to focus on the moment, not to worry or obsess about the past or the future since there's nothing you can do about them. It's not easy; it requires a lot of work, but it does help to at least some degree and is definitely worth a try. PM me if you need more info.

[treehugger727]

Originally Posted by Jan1212

Educate yourself, people get angry, frustrated, scared, defensive, anxious, when they have such a rigid way of understanding. and nobody teaches you this stuff. It takes a lot of time, it will be tough, experiences will help. I can tell you are smart by recognizing how these behavior effect you and seeking help, a lot of people don't get past this step. Face your fears, get to know them, how old are you? I don't want you to get specific if you don't' want, but what kind of incident happened?

Such good advice. Learning what your triggers are and getting to understand yourself is such a huge step in getting this type of behavior under control. It seems you are already on the path as you have tried to take different approaches to avoid hurting yourself. That's good! You are recognizing that you do not want to hurt yourself.

There is a way to avoid this and it is to find that moment right before you are about to lose your cool, kinda like the 11th hour so to speak and STOP. in that moment and ask yourself "how do i respond to this feeling of ____" (anger, sadness). You can't help feeling angry or sad but sometimes you can control how you respond to it. Its hard, for sure, and I guarantee there will be times when it doesn't work but if you really try to identify that moment, you may be able to control this way.

Are you in therapy at all? There are some very effective techniques to learn how to calm yourself. Sometimes just paying attention to your breathing will help. Don't change your breathing, just decide to focus on it and only it when you start to feel that anger troll sneaking up on you.
Close your eyes, listen to the breath as it comes in and as it goes out. Think about how it makes your chest rise and fall. I sometimes count as it goes in and out- it helps me focus on breathing and not the sound of traffic, my noisy child, etc.

Good Luck!

[thenightsky]

Originally Posted by Leed

I don't know how old you are, but I would suggest therapy in order to deal with these issues. Trying to deal with these on your own isn't going to work, I'm afraid. I believe it's going to take a trained professional to help you take care of the panic attacks and depression. If you're a minor, talk with your parents about gettiing you professional help.

If you can't talk with your parents easily, talk with your school counselor. Let hiim/her know what's going on, and perhaps he/she can discuss it with your parents. It might make it easier for you. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

thanks, i have been seeing several therapists since the age of 5. I am 17 now. I havent seen my current therapist in a while so i think i need to go back to seeing her more often. thanks for the support!

[thenightsky]

Originally Posted by Jan1212

Educate yourself, people get angry, frustrated, scared, defensive, anxious, when they have such a rigid way of understanding. and nobody teaches you this stuff. It takes a lot of time, it will be tough, experiences will help. I can tell you are smart by recognizing how these behavior effect you and seeking help, a lot of people don't get past this step. Face your fears, get to know them, how old are you? I don't want you to get specific if you don't' want, but what kind of incident happened?

thank you for the advice! i'm 17 btw, and there was no ONE specific incident. my depression and anxiety is somewhat genetic. things that upset me to this point though happen a lot, just because i am so emotional.

[thenightsky]

Originally Posted by sssjensss

I am also a very emotional person and I have an extremely hard time sorting and controlling my emotions as well. It is awesome that you realize this isn't healthy behavior. Everyone is different and as difficult as it is you need to find what works best for you. It has taken me almost 30 years to figure out what helps me little by. little. Sometimes insane exercise helps me if I am angry because it helps get the anger out and it wears meout to the point that I 'm too tired to be angry anymore. I also have severe anxiety and panic attacks.I'm still working on those! Just research different ways to deal with these feelings until you find what works.

i really appreciate the advice. i am glad to know i am not the only one dealing with these things.

[thenightsky]

Originally Posted by treehugger727

Such good advice. Learning what your triggers are and getting to understand yourself is such a huge step in getting this type of behavior under control. It seems you are already on the path as you have tried to take different approaches to avoid hurting yourself. That's good! You are recognizing that you do not want to hurt yourself.

There is a way to avoid this and it is to find that moment right before you are about to lose your cool, kinda like the 11th hour so to speak and STOP. in that moment and ask yourself "how do i respond to this feeling of ____" (anger, sadness). You can't help feeling angry or sad but sometimes you can control how you respond to it. Its hard, for sure, and I guarantee there will be times when it doesn't work but if you really try to identify that moment, you may be able to control this way.

Are you in therapy at all? There are some very effective techniques to learn how to calm yourself. Sometimes just paying attention to your breathing will help. Don't change your breathing, just decide to focus on it and only it when you start to feel that anger troll sneaking up on you.
Close your eyes, listen to the breath as it comes in and as it goes out. Think about how it makes your chest rise and fall. I sometimes count as it goes in and out- it helps me focus on breathing and not the sound of traffic, my noisy child, etc.

Good Luck!

i am in therapy but i havent seen my therapist in months :/